Another massive demolition to hit ga south as human encroachment threatens weija lake

It wouldn't be surprising to hear of another massive demolition exercise like the Adjei-Kojo or the one at Adenta that rendered many homeless and others heart broken in some few weeks or months to come.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources hon. Inusa Fuseini on every given platform worns prospective land buyers to cross check the land information with his Ministry before purchasing but people have turn death ear to it.

Investigations conducted by the Independent indicate that the hottest selling lands are the green belt zone at the weija lake. The residents of Ngleshi Domiabra in the Ga South Municipality have disclosed their worries on the developmental projects on going currently in the area since they were made to migrate from the place in order to protect the water body.

The aggrieved resident told the Independent that they will not sit unconcern and watch the river suffer the same fate as the Korle River or the Odo River at Circle.

Currently the lake supply water to over 2 million people in Accra, and according to some experts the rate of degradation in the area can spell doom for the lake in the next 10 years. The lake do not only supply water to some parts of Accra but it also serve as a livelihood to the fisher folks along the lake.

The land for the afforestation project was taken from the people of Domiabra in 1982 to protect the lake from been destroyed. The people were relocated to their current dwelling with compensation still pending.

When a visit was paid to the site the land had been demarcated and the walls broken to make way for roads. Investigation revealed that the Chief of Amanfrom is sphere heading the sales of the land at the protected area. As at the time of press all effort to contact the Amanfrom Chief proved futile.

According to the Assembly of Gbemomo Electoral Area, Mr. Emmanuel Quartey, he together with the Naa Manye Akunsha the Queenmother of Ngleshie Domiabra have written to the appropriate authorities but to no avail. They are therefore calling on the general public, opinion leadersand those who have the lake at heart to join forces and protect the lake for the future generation. When the MCE for Ga South was contact he was of the view that the lake is the property of the Ghana Water Company Limited and its responsibility to “police” it. He said when people neglect their duties it puts additional burden on the Assembly but the Assembly will do its part to safe guard the lake.

Some structures in the catchment area of the green belt were completed, some near completion whiles other were at the foundation level. There were buildings as close as 800 meters from the lake. Though there were keep off signs, construction works were in progress when this reporter visited the site.